***** I have never read a Harry Potter book by J.K. Rowling! I have never seen any of the films, although I have seen coming attractions, so I am aware that there is a lot of magic in these stories! “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” written by Jack Thorne and based on the work of Rowling is a stage play that was brought to the world some 8 years ago, and after London and New York is now on its first major tour. Chicago is very fortunate in that they will be here, at The James M. Nederlander Theatre well into 2025. There are seven “Harry Potter” books, Perhaps, this story should be counted as number 8!
The story is about Harry ( played to perfection by John Skelley) and his wife, Ginny ( deftly handled by Trish Lindstrom) are sending their son, Albus ( adorably played by Emmett Smith) off to his first year at Hogwarts. This is the magical school where Harry is the head of Magical Law Enforcement and Ginny is the editor of the newspaper. Ron Weasly ( (Matt Mueller) and Hermoine (Ebony Blake) also send their daughter Rose ( (Naiya Vanessa-McCalla is adorable in this role) is off to the school as well. Both of these characters are also alumni and part of the staff. During their train rise, Albus befriends Scorpius ( a terrific character role handled to perfection by Aidan Close). It turns out that he is the son of Harry’s arch enemy Draco (Benjamin Thys ).
Albus and Scorpius become close friends and the more they are bullied by the other students, the closer they become to each other. The story gets a little more complicated here as we see that the relationship with Harry and his son begins to become tedious. There is an actual line where harry says he wishes that Albus was not his son. At that point Albus pours a love potion on a babay blanket that as it turns out was Harry’s baby blanket.
There are several family stories involved and while I was unfamiliar with the characters, I was able to grasp the story of the love of the family and the ability to overcome the past in order to reach the future. There were some superb performances in this play. One of Chicago’s finest actors, Larry Yando brings several characters to this production and as always, watching him on the stage is like an education for young actors. Mackenzie Lesser-Roy is a wonderful Moaning Myrtle making her scene one that will make you laugh and think.
I must tell you that the direction (John Tiffany) is magnificent and the magical effects and illusions are creative and masterful. We see people flying about, disappearing into the air and floor, shooting out of the wall and furniture flying about- wow!!!
If you have read the books and /or seen the films, you will catch on a lot faster than this old guy did, but with the creativity of the production and the solid performances, no matter what, you will have a great time and probably want to go back for more. As I said at the very start, I was very limited in my knowledge, and I was able to follow the story and see who each character was and how they related to the others. The story evolves easily and I am going back for sure!
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” will continue thru February 1st with performances as follows:
Tuesdays 7:00pm
Wednesdays 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Thursdays 7:00pm
Fridays 7:00pm
Saturdays 1:00pm & 7:00pm
Sundays 1:00pm
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES
Tuesday , Dec 24:1:00pm
Thursday, Dec 26:1:00pm & 7:00pm
Sunday , Dec 29:1:00pm & 7:00pm
Tuesday, Dec 31:1:00pm
January 1st NO PERFORMANCE
The Nederlander Theatre is located at 24 West Randolph Street
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
In my Harry Potter and the Cursed Child interview Part One podcast interview, you met several actors who play the younger generation and supporting cast. In this Part TWO interview, you’ll hear from Harry Potter himself (played by John Skelley), Hermione Granger(Ebony Blake) and Ron Weasley (Matt Mueller). Get the “original generation” of characters views of the story from stars who all played in the New York production before coming to Chicago to being the national tour. The magic of the show, the ever-present soundtrack and taking the legendary Potter characters to this new place in time are all discussed.
Check out this Part TWO of interviews and purchase tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing through February 1st at the Nederlander at: www.BroadwayinChicago.com
In the first of this two-part podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the cast of Broadway’s long awaited sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which is finally in Chicago to kick off its first-ever North American Tour! Picking up where the last of the Potter books left off, this new adventure and experience in the wizarding world is what Forbes called: “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes). See the show at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through February 1st, 2025.
When Harry Potter’s (played by John Skelly) head-strong son Albus (Played by Emmet Smith) befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy (played by Aidan Close), it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. The special effects and magic promise to be mind blowing!
Joining in this live conversation on location is Trish Lindstrom (Ginny Potter), Emmet Smith (son Albus Potter), Ben Thys (playing Draco Malfoy), Aidan Close (playing son Scorpius Malfoy) and Chicago’s Very Own Larry Yando (playing Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore and others).
Stay tuned for Part TWO with Harry Potter himself and others!!
Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (playing now through Feb 1st) may be purchased at: www.BroadwayInChicago.com
Tuesdays 7:00pm
In the first of this two-part podcast, Paul goes behind the curtain with the cast of Broadway’s long awaited sensation Harry Potter and the Cursed Child which is finally in Chicago to kick off its first-ever North American Tour! Picking up where the last of the Potter books left off, this new adventure and experience in the wizarding world is what Forbes called: “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes). See the show at the James M. Nederlander Theatre through February 1st, 2025.
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